Inserting Recoil Assembly in G17L

[Cannon7mm]

Ok... I just got this G17L, and I took the recoil assembly off in order to clean the gun. But unlike my G17 etc. I am finding it really difficult to reassmle the recoil rod and spring into the slide.

Are there any tricks one of you can suggest. The spring keeps buckling and twisting, thwarting all my attempts to get it reassembled.

Many thanks in advance.

[Cannon7mm]

OK... I feel like a dummy...I got it in... But there has to be a trick to getting the assembly back in easier than it currently is.